According to sources close to the show, Dancing on Ice could be facing cancellation after the finale due to a dramatic drop in viewership and stagnant style of the show
Dancing on Ice could be facing the chop just as Coronation Street’s Sam Aston was crowned winner of this year’s competition.
Sources said that ITV executives are expected to make a decision about the show’s future this week. Hosted by Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern, the series has seen a significant drop in viewership, falling from a high of 12 million viewers to around 3 million tuning in for the tense finale.
Aston, 31, triumphed over Springwatch host Michaela Strachan, 58, and former West Ham legend Anton Ferdinand, 40, in the nail-biting finale.
On top of the tumbling viewer numbers, industry insiders also note the show is expensive to produce and may need a revamp, similar to the overhaul it underwent after being pulled in 2014 and relaunched four years later.
A source told The Sun: “The staffers on Dancing On Ice are saying the show is over and claim they’ve been told as much.
“It’s a mainstay of ITV’s schedule… There’s no denying, though, that the format has become tired and they’re not getting the big names they once did. Changes are needed and it’s likely it’ll be rested and given a new lease of life.”
The source added: “The show’s future hinges on the meetings that follow last night’s finale.
“Dancing On Ice is an expensive production and there are questions over whether ITV is getting bang for its buck. Staff working on it aren’t holding out much hope.”
Olympic legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean dropped a bombshell, revealing they are uncertain about the show’s future and will no longer be performing.
Dean said: “If Dancing On Ice continues, we will just come back as judges”, and said that 50 years of dancing “takes its toll on the body”.
Bookies last night slashed their odds on the show being axe from 4/11 to 1/2.
ITV said: “The Dancing on Ice team has been fully concentrating on the much-anticipated series finale and therefore no decision has been made.”
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
